Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri has admitted that he could leave Chelsea in search of more playing time after falling behind Ben Chilwell and Marcos Alonso in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
Emerson scored against Atletico Madrid in March to help secure Chelsea’s place in the quarter finals of the Champions League, a competition that they ended up winning.
He followed up that success by adding international silverware in July following Italy’s success at the European Championships.
However, despite those fantastic achievements, he’s struggled for playing time under Thomas Tuchel, and has hinted at a possible move away from the club.
Speaking to ESPN Brazil, Emerson said: “I want to play, I know I can be out on the pitch, I’ve proved that.
“So I’m going to do everything I can to be on the pitch. Of course, I still have two more years on my contract with Chelsea, which is a great club.
“I’ve already proved that I can play here, but at the same time I want to be on the pitch. I want to play, I want to feel important, like I already did.
“I want to have the same feeling I felt when I scored against Atlético Madrid, to have the same feeling when I won the Champions League.”
The left-back has been the subject of interest from Serie A side, Napoli, but is determined to choose the ‘best option’ for him moving forward.
“I will really choose the best option,” he added. “If it’s to stay at Chelsea, if it happens to Napoli or another team.
“I still have another 25 days practically to think about it, to be able to choose the best, the best place. Where they really want me, want me happy.
“Last season I didn’t have the opportunity to maybe choose, to maybe have another option.
“Today, I have others, I can choose, I have time to choose, so for sure next season will be the way I choose, not how things arrive and I have to accept them.
“I will do everything to choose the best option, which is the one of being on the pitch as many times as possible.”
Chelsea face Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday, but given Alonso’s performance against Crystal Palace, as well as Chilwell’s return, the Italian is unlikely to get the nod for an appearance.
